Wa to Skein Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool

Convert wa to skeins with our free online length converter.

Wa to Skein Calculator

Wa
Skein

How to Use the Calculator:

  1. Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Wa).
  2. The converted value in Skein will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
  3. Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Length category.
  4. Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.

How to Convert Wa to Skein

Converting Wa to Skein involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.

Formula:

1 Wa = 0.0182269 skeins

Example Calculation:

Convert 10 wa: 10 × 0.0182269 = 0.182269 skeins

Disclaimer: For Reference Only

These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.

Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.

What is a Wa and a Skein?

The Wa (วา) is a traditional Thai unit of length. It is legally defined in relation to the metric system as exactly 2 meters.

The Wa serves as a fundamental unit within the traditional Thai system of measurement, particularly for land area. It is roughly equivalent to the distance between a person's outstretched fingertips when their arms are extended horizontally to the sides (similar to a fathom).

A Skein is a traditional unit of length primarily used for measuring yarn or thread. It represents a specific length of yarn coiled into a loop, often then twisted for packaging and sale.

The length of a skein is highly variable and depends significantly on the type of fiber (e.g., cotton, wool, linen), the region, and the specific yarn count system being used. There is no single universal standard.

Common historical or industry-specific standard lengths include:

  • Cotton Skein (or Hank): 840 yards (≈ 768.1 meters)
  • Worsted Wool Skein (or Hank): 560 yards (≈ 512.1 meters)
  • Linen Skein (or Lea): 300 yards (≈ 274.3 meters)

For the purpose of this converter, a Skein is defined as:

  • Exactly 120 yards (yd)
  • Exactly 109.728 meters (m)
  • Exactly 360 feet (ft)

This value (120 yards) corresponds to a Lea, a unit often associated with linen and sometimes used as a subdivision or specific standard in certain yarn count systems.

Note: The Wa is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Skein belongs to the imperial/US customary system.

History of the Wa and Skein

The Wa has been used in Thailand (formerly Siam) for centuries, likely originating from anthropomorphic measurements like the arm span. It was a practical unit for everyday measurements, construction, and land surveying.

  • Traditional System: The Wa was part of a system that included smaller units like the khuep (span, ~25 cm), sok (cubit, ~50 cm, 1 Wa = 4 Sok), and larger units like the sen (rope, 1 Sen = 20 Wa).
  • Standardization: During the modernization reforms under King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Thailand began standardizing its weights and measures. The Weights and Measures Act of 1923 formally defined traditional units in terms of the metric system. The Wa was officially set at exactly 2 meters.
  • Metrication: While Thailand officially adopted the metric system as its primary standard, traditional units like the Wa remain legally defined and widely used, especially in specific contexts like land measurement.

The practice of winding yarn into standardized lengths like skeins or hanks dates back centuries. It originated as a practical way to manage, measure, dye, trade, and store yarn. Standardizing the length allowed spinners, weavers, and merchants to calculate material quantities and costs more reliably.

Different textile industries and regions developed their own specific standards for skein lengths. These standards became intrinsically linked to yarn count systems (e.g., Cotton Count (Ne), Worsted Count (Nw), Linen Count (NeL)), which define the fineness (thickness) of yarn based on the length per unit weight (e.g., the number of 840-yard hanks per pound for cotton).

While metric units (meters, kilograms) are now standard for trade, the historical skein lengths remain relevant for understanding yarn counts and for crafts like knitting and crochet where yarn is still often sold in skeins or hanks labeled with length and weight.

Common Uses for wa and skeins

Explore the typical applications for both Wa (imperial/US) and Skein (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.

Common Uses for wa

The Wa's most significant modern use is in land measurement, but it historically had broader applications:

  • Land Area: This is the most common contemporary use. Land area in Thailand is almost exclusively measured in Tarang Wa (ตารางวา - Square Wa).
    • 1 Tarang Wa = 4 square meters (2m x 2m)
    • 1 Ngan (งาน) = 100 Tarang Wa (400 sq m)
    • 1 Rai (ไร่) = 4 Ngan = 400 Tarang Wa (1600 sq m) Property deeds, real estate listings, and land surveys invariably use Rai, Ngan, and Tarang Wa.
  • Length Measurement: While meters are now standard for most length measurements (textiles, construction materials), the Wa might still be used informally or in traditional contexts. Historically, it was used for measuring distances, building dimensions, rope lengths, etc.
  • Construction & Architecture: Traditionally used for laying out building plots and determining dimensions in Thai architecture.
  • Cultural Context: Understanding the Wa and its related area units is essential for navigating real estate, agriculture, and historical contexts in Thailand.

Common Uses for skeins

Historically and currently, the skein (or the concept of a standard yarn length) is used in:

  • Textile Industry: Calculating yarn yield, planning weaving or knitting projects, and defining yarn counts.
  • Yarn Sales: Yarn for handcrafts (knitting, crochet) is commonly sold in skeins or hanks, usually labeled with weight, length (in yards or meters), and fiber type.
  • Dyeing: Skeins are a convenient form for dyeing batches of yarn evenly.
  • Historical Context: Understanding older textile production methods, trade practices, and calculations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About Wa (wa)

How long is a Wa?

A Wa is defined as exactly:

  • 2 meters (m)
  • 200 centimeters (cm)
  • Approximately 6.5617 feet (ft)
  • Approximately 78.74 inches (in)

What are the related traditional Thai length units?

The Wa fits into a system, often based on factors of 2 and 10:

  • Smaller Units:
    • 1 Wa = 4 Sok (ศอก - cubit, ~50 cm)
    • 1 Sok = 2 Khuep (คืบ - span, ~25 cm)
    • 1 Khuep = 12 Nio (นิ้ว - finger breadth, ~2.08 cm, not the English inch)
  • Larger Unit:
    • 1 Sen (เส้น - rope/chain) = 20 Wa (40 meters)
    • 1 Yot (โยชน์ - league) = 400 Sen (16 kilometers)

How is the Wa used for area measurement?

The primary unit for land area is the Tarang Wa (Square Wa):

  • 1 Tarang Wa = 1 Wa × 1 Wa = 2 m × 2 m = 4 square meters Larger area units are based on the Tarang Wa:
  • 1 Ngan = 100 Tarang Wa (400 m²)
  • 1 Rai = 4 Ngan = 400 Tarang Wa (1600 m²)
  • (For reference, 1 Acre ≈ 2.53 Rai, 1 Hectare = 6.25 Rai)

Is the Wa an SI unit?

No, the Wa is not an SI unit. It is a traditional Thai unit, although its legal definition is based on the SI unit, the meter (m).

Is the Wa still used today?

Yes, absolutely. While the metric system is the official standard for science, commerce, and industry, the Wa (especially as Tarang Wa for area) remains the standard unit for land measurement in Thailand. It is legally recognized and used in all official land documents and real estate transactions. Its use for linear measurement is less common but may still occur informally or in traditional settings.

About Skein (skein)

How long is a skein?

The length varies greatly! There is no single universal value. Common standards include:

  • Cotton: 840 yards (≈ 768 m)
  • Worsted Wool: 560 yards (≈ 512 m)
  • Linen (Lea): 300 yards (≈ 274 m)
  • Value used in this converter: 120 yards (≈ 110 m), representing a specific standard sometimes called a Lea.

Always check the specific fiber type or context when dealing with skeins.

How is a skein different from a hank or a ball of yarn?

  • Skein / Hank: These terms are often used interchangeably. They refer to yarn wound into a large loop, which is usually twisted for sale. This form is good for dyeing and storage but must be wound into a ball before use to prevent tangling.
  • Ball: Yarn wound into a spherical or oval shape, ready for direct use in knitting or crocheting.

Sometimes "skein" is used informally to refer to any package of yarn.

What is yarn count and how does it relate to skeins?

Yarn count is a measure of the fineness (thickness) of yarn. Most systems define it based on length per unit weight. Standard skein/hank lengths are fundamental to these systems. For example:

  • Cotton Count (Ne): The number of 840-yard hanks that weigh one pound. Higher Ne means finer yarn.
  • Worsted Count (Nw): The number of 560-yard hanks that weigh one pound.
  • Linen Count (NeL or Lea): The number of 300-yard leas that weigh one pound.

Is the Skein an SI unit?

No, the Skein is not an SI unit. It is a traditional, variable unit used in the textile industry. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m). Yarn length is typically measured in meters or yards in modern contexts.

Conversion Table: Wa to Skein

Wa (wa)Skein (skein)
10.018
50.091
100.182
250.456
500.911
1001.823
5009.113
1,00018.227

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